Georgetown, Guyana.
February 24, 2022
For immediate release to all media houses.
PRESS RELEASE
Alliance For Change statement from press conference
Link to video recording
*Recording of Alliance For Change Press Conference, Feb. 24, 2023* https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/JzV5TffUAZNyutbWyjWEjZ_O8COJndBnM-Nx3LcN8rdGepwasfM3LymSiWVYHlUz.k2a-kOn0s8cuA_08
Also attached Parliamentary questions not allowed as answers are in the public domain
AFC Statement on GYEITI’s suspension from EITI
The AFC had predicted last year that GYEITI’s relationship with EITI will be in jeopardy and is likely to lead to its expulsion from that international watchdog body.
The AFC felt then, as it still feels now, that the PPP Government had hardened its position in not wanting to live by the high standards of transparency which EITI sets for our extractive industries, namely, oil and gas, mining, forestry and fishing. This disposition of controlling in absolute terms every sphere of activity in the entire spectrum of the country’s affairs was what informed the AFC’s position.
Moreover, the non-renewal of economist Dr Rudy Jadupat’s contract as Director of the GYEITI Secretariat on the maliciously false ground that he was a member of the AFC; and, his replacement with long standing PPP propagandist Dr Prem Misir, added grist to the mill of the PPP’s control-freakism.
The Dr Jadupat-led Secretariat had assisted the Multi-Stakeholder Group and the Independent Administrator in the successful setting up of the GYEITI in 2017, and completion of three Reports, namely, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The Prem Misir Secretariat has led us into suspension. His talents reside not in transparency, nor in the operations of the various Protocols and Standards of EITI which demands transparency. Indeed, he now has 4 months after the date of the suspension to still present the 2020 Report. Not doing so will see Guyana being “delisted” from the international body. This, of course, will bring stinging rebukes to the Ally-led Administration and huge embarrassment to Guyana.
The AFC was not surprised by President Ally’s exaggerated, camouflaged concern now that suspension has happened. But what is worse is his irrational response in planting blame on COVID and floods and two members of the Multi-Stakeholder Group, namely, Mc Cormack and Vanda Radzik. This is disgraceful and dangerous. Attacking two of the most prominent and active civil society members is plain suicidal.
EITI’s Standard makes it clear that each and every member of the Multi-Stakeholder Group must operate and express their opinion freely without fear, coercion or reprisal.
As the AFC said last year, the Independent Administrator for the 4th Report, (i.e for 2020), was hired in violation of EITI’s standard, at least in the eyes of these two members. What was at the heart of the matter, as the Party now understands clearer, was that the terms of reference of the Independent Administrator did not reflect that it must report on the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the previous 3rd (2019) GYEITI Report in the 2020 Report. This was missing consequent upon an overlooking of same by the Prem Misir Secretariat. That “overlooking” itself has further questions and implications about it. And so both civil society members had every right to speak their individual consciences to this issue, and to similarly vote thereon.
On this sacred matter of their conscience, the President criticized and retaliated.
Of course, the flippant and flimsy COVID and Floods excuse for not completing the 2020 Report by 31st of 2022 is a deception that must be frowned on. It is just a continuation of the PPP’s journey to not only divide but, additionally, to divert and rule.
AFC on CARBON CREDIT REVENUE STREAM
The Alliance for Change notes the recent announcement by Government that the entire forest of Guyana was assessed for carbon credits by ART TREES. This therefore means that the forest on Amerindian titled and untitled lands were assessed, those areas under the Fourth Parallel were assessed and those areas given to loggers were assessed. Even private lands, whether titled or leased were assessed.
The only direct beneficiaries from the carbon credits are Amerindians who will benefit financially in an amount which is 15 % of the amount received. This is the arbitrary sum the Government has come up with. There was no consultation or prior discussion in Parliament as to why this amount.
On proper cogitation after consultations with Amerindians and other Guyanese, the AFC believes that the amount for Amerindians should have been 25% for a start; and, the First Peoples should be given a chance to manage their own funds.
The AFC finds it unfair that forestry sector operators will receive nothing from the carbon credits monies even though their forest were assessed and was used to get the value. Despite private logging companies expending hundreds of millions to ensure Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) is achieved; and, spending hundreds of millions to maintain internal roads that other sectors such as Gold miners and even the Government use, surely this category of stakeholder ought to be beneficiaries too.
The AFC notes that the Government will receive $150 million (US) as its first payment. The Alliance for Change therefore proposes the following:
A) that $10 million USD is utilized as a revolving fund for the forestry sector for the purpose to help re-tool and rebuild this vital foreign exchange earning industry;
B) Three million united states dollars (USD$3M) for the Guyana Forestry Commission to enhance operations in this institution which is the backbone to ensure that our forest is managed sustainably;
C) 25% to the Amerindians which will total $37.5 Million (US)
This leaves a remaining balance of USD $99.5 million for the country’s coffers. The Alliance for Change would like to remind the Guyanese people especially the loggers that when it was in Government under the Coalition, a GGMC Board decision was made to ensure that monies from GGMC was set aside to build interior roads and mostly loggers who were the major users were awarded these contracts. We have learnt that some of these roads are now being built by private contractors who are doing a horrible job.
Most of these interior roads and bridges are in a deplorable state, especially where the major activities of logging are taking place. The Mabura road/bridge by the Kurupukari collapsed recently. The road to 14 Miles is in a terrible state. The famous bridge there “the iron bridge” is in a dangerous state. Contract for repair was awarded but no work is being done. The Kwakwani to Linden Road is also in a bad state and Rock Stone road to Iteballi to Bartica is a bad state.
AFC Statement on incident at Region 4 Flag raising ceremony
Women For Change, the women’s arm of the Alliance For Change condemns in the harshest possible terms the total disrespect directed at Member of Parliament Catherine Hughes. The behaviour of Regional Executive Officer and member of the PPP Mr. Donald Gajraj was nothing but vile bullyism designed to silence a female Member of Parliament and the voices of women in general.
For those who would not of seen the video recording, Regional Chairman region 4 Daniel Seeram invited the MP who was seated in the audience to make brief remarks after he realised that there were no female speakers at the event. The REO physically accosted the microphone from the Regional Chairman demanding the microphone and like a school yard bully used his size and clout to silence the female MP.
The disrespect for the Member of Parliament and a woman at that, as displayed by the REO can only be seen as indicative of his contempt for women. WFC calls on President Irfaan Ali and the PPP to disassociate themselves from the REO and instruct that he issues an apology to the Member of Parliament.
END
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